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C power chord (C5)

C5 is C and G, the root and the fifth above it. The easiest way to play it is with the root on the 5th string at the 3rd fret, x355xx: your 1st finger on the root and your 3rd and 4th fingers on the 4th and 3rd strings, both at the 5th fret. Strum only those three strings.

C5

C power chord · C G · root and fifth

  • 3fr134CGC

    3rd fret

    Root on the 5th string

    x355xx

  • 8fr134CGC

    8th fret

    Root on the 6th string

    8-10-10-x-x-x

  • 10fr134CGC

    10th fret

    Root on the 4th string

    x-x-10-12-13-x

Or pick another power chord to see and hear it

Root

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are C, the root. Chug plays four short strums, the sound of a palm resting on the strings.

How to play C5

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Root on the 5th string, 3rd fret

    x355xx
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 5th string, 3rd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 5th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 5th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.
    • Mute the 2nd and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

  2. 2. Root on the 6th string, 8th fret

    8-10-10-x-x-x
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 6th string, 8th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 5th string, 10th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 4th string, 10th fret.
    • Mute the 3rd, 2nd and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

  3. 3. Root on the 4th string, 10th fret

    x-x-10-12-13-x
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 4th string, 10th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 3rd string, 12th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 13th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th and 5th strings: strum from the 4th.
    • Mute the 1st string by letting a finger next to it touch it lightly.

Notes in C5

C5 is C and G. G is the fifth above C, seven half steps up, and most shapes play C again an octave higher on top. It has no third, so it is neither major nor minor: add E and it is C major; add E♭ and it is C minor. That is why one power chord fits a riff in either key.

Power chords that go with C5

F5133xxxThe fourth: C5 to F5 is the I to IV move under blues and rock.B♭5x133xxA whole step down: C5, B♭5 and back is rock’s ♭VII move.E♭5xx134xThree frets up the same string: the move in punk and metal riffs.G5355xxxThe fifth: G5 pulls back home to C5.A♭5466xxxThe dark ♭VI: heavy riffs climb A♭5, B♭5, C5.

More power chords

C♯5D5E♭5E5F5F♯5G5A♭5A5B♭5B5

Or see every one at once on the power chord chart, with three riffs to play.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play C5 on guitar?

The easiest way is with the root on the 5th string at the 3rd fret, x355xx: your 1st finger on the root and your 3rd and 4th fingers on the 4th and 3rd strings, both at the 5th fret. Strum just those strings and let the others stay quiet.

What notes are in C5?

C and G: the root and the fifth above it, seven half steps up. Most shapes play C again an octave higher on top, so three strings sound two notes.

Is C5 major or minor?

Neither. A major or minor chord gets its sound from its third, and C5 has none, so it fits under C major and C minor alike. Add the third and it becomes one of them.

What is another way to play C5?

With the root on the 6th string at the 8th fret, 8-10-10-x-x-x: your 1st finger on the root and your 3rd and 4th fingers on the 5th and 4th strings, both at the 10th fret. The shape is the same on every string pair, so it moves anywhere on the neck.

What chords go with C5?

F5, B♭5, E♭5 and G5: the IV, the ♭VII a whole step down, the ♭III three frets up and the V of its key. Each is the same shape moved along the neck.

Make a rock beat in C

Opens the free editor with a rock beat in C major on C F G F, a driven electric guitar playing the chords. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a rock beat in CAll power chords

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